
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,711
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Valor & Villainy: Minions of Mordak
- 2–6 players
- 90–150 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2020

2017
Rules assistance for Alkemia
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Alkemia is a board game released in 2017 for 2–6 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Eric Kovatchitch, Matt Molanare, Adam Zalatan, and Jeff Dunlap and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Point to Point Movement.
Welcome to a land where creation is but a simple step away from ingenuity plus a few simple resources imbued with ancient alchemy - this is Alkemia. Prepare to harness the primal art of alchemy and to join the ranks of creators who have been shaping and reforming the raw land of Alkemia into a thriving livelihood centered on a grand city of alchemy deemed Crasis. Governed by a circle of seers and a single Grand Alchemist, who wields boundless talent and protects the ancient secrets of the Greater Elemental Spirits, Crasis now seeks its next Grand Alchemist, who will be one of the few alchemists attempting to prove their abilities by synthesizing the legendary Crest of Creation. This crest, a fabled mysticism documented to usher the golden age of alchemy and balance, can only be crafted by one skilled alchemist able to harness the five elements of earth, fire, water, air, and ether, using both natural and manufactured resources. Take to the urban bazaars and elemental wilds of a land that is enriched by the power of alchemy blessed by the elements. Players can look forward to managing organic resources as one of six characters to craft powerful items in a race to become the Grand Alchemist. First, harvest the Foraging Fields to gather your base reagents and collect recipes used to craft items; then, alchemists will combine their base reagents to synthesize items from their recipes – all with usable effects aimed to both assist the creator and hinder competitors. Players will ultimately quell everything at their disposal to create their own legendary Crest of Creation via a randomly generated recipe gained through playing, which will lead the most skilled alchemist to victory. Do you have what it takes to be worthy of the Crest of Creation? Be prepared, for Destiny’s recipe calls for you
Alkemia supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Alkemia is 90 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Alkemia for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Alkemia has a complexity rating of 2.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Alkemia belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fantasy, and Economic. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Point to Point Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Alkemia are: Eric Kovatchitch, Matt Molanare, Adam Zalatan, and Jeff Dunlap. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Alkemia as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.